http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk Browse the latest news from Bracknell Forest Council, now live to you via RSS feeds en-gb Sat, 04 Feb 2012 6:04:08 GMT Copyright Bracknell Forest Council 2009. These pages and feeds, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected. All rights reserved. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/syndication/ 15 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/council_logo.gif http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82427 If you are on the look out for something to do with the kids this February half term, why not pay a visit to The Look Out Discovery Centre for some dinosaur themed fun. Ever wondered what the breath of a T-Rex would have smelt like? Or how much poo the biggest dinosaurs would have made? Want to know how we know that the T-Rex had the best sense of smell out of all the meat eating dinosaurs? Find out this and lots more at The Big Dinosaur Show, which is at the centre until May 6 and aimed at children over the age of three. During February half term there will also be a free dinosaur themed quiz, which all visitors can take part in. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “This February half term, do come and enjoy what The Look Out has to offer - including The Big Dinosaur Show and a free dinosaur quiz. “Visiting The Look Out is a great day out, as it has over 90 hands-on science and nature activities. Leave your shadow on the wall, dam up a stream, launch a hydrogen rocket, create circuits and much more! You will have science at your fingertips! “Inside the centre there is a gift shop full of great pocket money items and coffee shop with drinks and light snacks, including homemade cake. For those braving the winter weather there is the recently enhanced play area.” The Look Out is set in 1,000 hectares of Swinley Forest and is open daily between 10am and 5pm. A super saver ticket is only  £17.60 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children (valid until March 31, 2012). Children aged three and under are free! Special parent and toddler rates for term time. Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82427 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82421 The annual Bracknell town centre charity pancake race is back with a twist this year as it takes on a three-legged theme. Bracknell Regeneration Partnership is again hosting the event in a bid to raise cash for Age Concern Bracknell Forest - the Mayor’s chosen charity – and Sebastian’s Action Trust. The challenge to take part in this year’s race is now on. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 10.30am in the Broadway. All you need is a team of four and a frying pan. It costs £5 per person (£20 per team) and entries must be submitted to gemma.tizzard@bracknell.co.uk by Friday, February 17. Further information can be found at: http://bit.ly/AxBtzi Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82421 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82418 The council’s five gritting lorries are all-systems go for the rest of this week in preparation for the predicted cold snap. Primary routes and secondary routes, which make up more than 145 miles of road, pavements and bus lanes, are due to be gritted in accordance with weather warnings over the next few days to help keep everyone moving should snow or ice hit the borough. Salt bins have also been stocked up so residents can grit public pavements and roads near their homes.     And for the first time since last year’s snow, the council has access to its very own salt barn, which is fully stocked with 2,500 tonnes of salt. While the council has a responsibility for gritting roads and has prepared for bad weather, residents are encouraged to think about how they can help themselves during the predicted period of severe winter weather. Residents are reminded that there's no reason for them you not to clear snow and ice from the pavement outside their home or from public spaces. Doing so can help everyone get about more easily.  More detailed advice is available at www.direct.gov.uk or a guide to snow clearing and the law is available on the council’s website at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/guidance-about-clearing-footpaths-of-snow-and-ice.pdf Other key advice on how to deal with bad weather includes: Buy stocks of salt from local hardware shops in advance, so you can grit driveways, paths and the area around your property and vehicle. Alternatively, lay cardboard onto your path prior to any frost/snowfall. If your road has a salt bin, then be proactive and spread salt on slopes; this salt is for use on public roads and pavements only. Buy a snow shovel and be ready as you may need to dig a path into and out of your property and around your car. Be prepared; pack a shovel, salt, de-icer, your mobile phone and charger, warm blankets, a torch and some food and water in your car boot. Ensure you have plenty of fuel in your car before making a journey as you may get delayed in queues. Have a torch available at home just in case electricity supplies fail. Make sure you have enough non-perishable food, like canned and powdered goods, to last a few days, just in case you can’t get to the shops. Make sure you have enough blankets and warm clothes just in case your heating supply fails.    If you take prescription medication it may be wise to have enough to last a few days. Likewise, if you have a small child it may be a good idea to stock up on nappies and formula milk. Put an In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact phone number in your mobile phone or address book. Follow advice on the local radio and television stations.   Residents are also urged to check on elderly and/ or vulnerable neighbours should any severe weather take hold. Additionally, residents planning to use Longshot Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centre are advised to check:www.re3.org.uk before setting off in the case of snow/ ice. The latest opening information will be available via that link. Steve Loudoun, chief officer for environment and public protection, said: “The council has a responsibility for gritting roads and keeping people moving during bouts of bad weather and with the addition of the new salt barn, we are well prepared for any cold snap that hits in the next few days. “However, we need residents to take some proactive steps to make sure they too are ready, just in case we get lots of snow and ice again. These steps are simple but can make a world of difference in bad weather. If you’re not ready then now is the time to act.” Information on the council’s gritting routes, salt bin locations and advice on clearing snow from footpaths can be found at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/env-winter-weather Notes: The council's new salt barn was built in 2011. It stands at 12.5 metres tall and is fully stocked with 2,500 tonnes of salt. It is the first time there has been a salt barn in the borough, giving gritters quicker access to the council’s salt supply. This winter, the council has access to five gritting lorries which can hold between six and 10 tonnes of salt each. If required, a snow plough can be attached to each of the lorries. For pedestrianised areas - such as town centres, neighbourhood centres and footpaths - the council has three small de-mountable salt spreading machines, making it easier to salt areas which traditionally have been harder to reach. Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82418 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82415 Amateur photographers from across Bracknell Forest will have their work on show at South Hill Park in an ‘Exploring the Borough’s Routes and Trees’ exhibition. The exhibition will take place at the community gallery between Saturday, February 11, and Sunday, April 8, and will showcase the 18 best photos from more than 180 entries to last year’s annual Parks Photography Competition. The competition theme ‘Routes and Trees’ celebrates our access to the great outdoors and marks the UN International Year of Forests 2011. Photographs will include the winning entry from Anne Eckersley, with her imaginative photo 'Tree Roots', David Robins’ eye-catching entry 'Lady in Red, Shepherd Meadows, Sandhurst' which came second and Phil Chappell’s 'Route through Crowthorne Woods', which came third. The pictures were judged by a panel which included executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, Cllr Iain McCracken, former head of exhibitions at South Hill Park, Dr Outi Remis, Jeff Lawrence from Bracknell Camera Club, John Deakin, chief forester at The Crown Estate and Graham Pockett, parks and countryside development officer at Bracknell Forest Council. Richard Walton, head of parks and countryside, said: “We're really lucky to have some fantastic, easily accessible parks and countryside in Bracknell Forest. The Routes and Trees theme of the competition challenged amateur photographers to capture their special qualities.” Cllr McCracken added: “The standard of entries to the competition was very high last year and it was extremely hard to pick a winner. I would encourage residents to make a visit to the exhibition to look at the great work on show. And while you are there, enjoy the many other attractions the park has to offer.” Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82415 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82401 More than 1,400 young visitors flocked to the Bracknell Forest Careers Event to get information and advice from employers, training and education providers and volunteer organisations about future job prospects. The day-long event was organised by Bracknell Forest Partnership, East Berkshire Education Business Partnership and business sponsors from across the borough. More than 75 exhibitors put up stands at The Capitol Building, near Bracknell town centre entre. Among the major local businesses taking part were Panasonic, Syngenta and Dell, together with public service employers such as Bracknell Forest Council, Thames Valley Police and Bracknell Forest Homes, volunteers groups like Bracknell Voluntary Action and education providers such as Bracknell & Wokingham College. The closed session during the day welcomed around 1,000 year 11 students from across the borough’s secondary schools. They were brought to the event courtesy of First Buses, which provided free transport throughout the day. Also making the day possible were ITM Ltd, which provided the technology; Sainsbury’s, which kept the exhibitors and volunteers going with sandwich lunches; and Berkshire Media Group, which built the website www.bfcareers.co.uk The groups of 15 and 16 year olds saw presentations from among others, John Kemp, from Ferrari North Europe, who talked about apprenticeships at Ferrari and had brought along one of the super cars for visitors to admire. The students were then free to visit the marketplace stands, pick up information, advice and ideas about the various routes to the world of work. The evening session, which was open to young people from other school year groups and their parents and carers, welcomed more than 400 visitors, many of whom had pre-booked appointments for CV and interview skills advice. David Cook, chairman of the Bracknell Forest Economic & Skills Development Partnership, said: "This event was hugely important to the young people of Bracknell Forest and we are delighted it was such a success. “Exhibitors, the sponsors, the visitors, both young and older, were really impressed and we’re very pleased that the students took advantage of the vast pool of ideas, information and advice that was available on the day. “We also hope they will continue to make use of the website in the months to come.” Cllr Mrs Mary Ballin, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for planning, transportation and economic development, said: “The response to this fantastic Partnership event has been overwhelmingly positive. “We had so many employers and training and education providers under one roof and it was a wonderful opportunity for the borough’s young people to find out about qualifications, the skills they need and, equally importantly, about real jobs in real businesses.” Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82401 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82399 Play time at The Look Out is now even more interactive and inclusive thanks to Bracknell Forest Council. Thanks to funding from Aiming High for Disabled Children*, the council has enhanced facilities and opportunities for disabled children at The Look Out. Aiming High, together with funding from the Playbuilder** projects, completed an addition to the outdoor play area last year. There is now a range of equipment suitable for use by children with disabilities, including sensory equipment and a roundabout that is fully accessible by wheelchair users. As a result of Aiming High funding, The Look Out also has a fully operational Changing Places toilet complete with shower toilet, adjustable sink, changing bed and hoist which is accessed via 'radar key'. Customers are asked to bring their own slings for use with the hoist.  The toilet is the second of its kind in Berkshire and further information can be found at http://www.changing-places.org/find_a_toilet/location_search_results/details/mid/649/lid/683/ctl.aspx Simon McKenzie, head of learning difficulties and disability at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Exploration and education go hand in hand at The Look Out with 90 hands-on exciting science and nature exhibits. We believe that these new enhancements will complement what is already an excellent opportunity for all children. We hope that parents will feel confident to bring the whole family to The Look Out to enjoy these new improved facilities.” Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children and young people, said: “The new equipment is fantastic, making The Look Out the number one destination for the whole family in Berkshire.” In addition to the play area, The Look Out has many hands-on science and sensory activities such as a hovering sphere which defies gravity; whisper to your friend from far away and still hear them with the whisper dish and much, much more. Find out more by visiting www.facebook.com/thelookoutdiscovery or www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be or calling 01344 354400. * The Aiming High for Disabled Children programme was  set up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to transform disabled children’s services in England. ** Bracknell Forest Council secured £1.1 million of funding in 2010 from the Department for Children, Schools and Families through the Playbuilder programme. The programme is part of a wider, long term agenda for the council to change the perception of play and to emphasise its importance in the local community. Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=82399